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The latest People in the News highlighting new hires, promotions, honors & recognition of the men and women in the St. Louis building community.

Maggie Stamm Joins HOK’s St. Louis Office as Marketing Coordinator

Maggie Stamm

Maggie Stamm is the newest member of HOK’s growing St. Louis studio and will serve as a marketing coordinator assisting the office in branding, client engagement and project pursuits.

A native of the greater St.

Louis area, Stamm earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She has spent the past three years in California where she held a similar marketing role in HOK’s San Francisco office.

With offices around the globe, HOK designs buildings and spaces that respond to the needs of people and the environment. HOK designers are rooted in technical excellence, driven by imagination and focus.

S. M. Wilson Promotes Andrew Ahlers, CM-BIM, A.C. To Project Manager

Andrew Ahlers

S. M. Wilson & Co. has promoted Andrew Ahlers, CM-BIM, A.C. to Project Manager. As Project Manager, he will be responsible for handling all administrative functions for a project, including scheduling, holding progress meetings, generating meeting minutes, tracking costs and maintaining logs for all project information.

Ahlers joined S. M. Wilson in 2014 and has worked on a variety of projects including numerous projects at Blessing Hospital, the Chaddock School Education Center Addition and Ignite Medical Resorts in Kansas City, MO. Currently, he is serving as the Project Manager on the Blessing Hospital Tower Expansion project. The vertical expansion includes adding two floors to the existing four-story patient tower which was originally built by S. M. Wilson in 2015. Ahlers’ strategic planning and attention to detail on this challenging project have been a tremendous asset to ensure the two fully-functioning hospital floors below are not impacted during construction.

He holds his CM – BIM Certificate of Management in Building Information Modeling from the AGC of Missouri. He has his AC (Associate Constructor) certification from the American Institute of Constructors and his ASHE – HCC (Health Care Construction Certificate). Ahlers is OSHA 30 Hour Construction Safety and Health for Construction Industry certified and earned his B.S. in Construction Management from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

S. M. Wilson is a full-service construction management, design/build and general contracting firm with headquarters in St. Louis. For more information, visit www.smwilson.com.

February 15, 2019

Castle Contracting Hires Four

Castle Contracting, LLC has expanded its team with the hiring of four new employees: Charles Danner, project engineer; Dan Schaefer, estimator; Cory Howell, project manager; and Cody Hobbs, safety coordinator.

Charles Danner

As project engineer, Charles Danner supports the estimating department in compiling accurate project bids, as part of a three-step development program instituted by Castle for all project engineers. Prior to joining Castle, Danner served as an engineer at Kiewit Corporation in Federal Way, Wash. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technologies from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. Before college, he served in the U.S. Air Force and earned the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He lives in St. Louis.

Dan Schaefer

In his role as estimator, Dan Schaefer prepares complete, accurate quantity take-offs to build detailed cost estimates and prepares comprehensive proposals for Castle clients. He previously served as estimator/project manager at Kuesel Excavating Co. in O’Fallon, Mo. and an estimator/project manager at Septagon Construction in Columbia, Mo. Schaefer received a bachelor’s degree in construction management from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. He and his family live in St. Peters, Mo.

Cory Howell

As project manager, Cory Howell oversees the day-to-day operation of projects, including budget reporting, submittal review, subcontractor coordination, material ordering, scheduling maintenance and trade coordination. Prior to joining Castle, he served as project manager at Crossland Construction Company in Kansas City and held several roles at Hensel Phelps Construction Co. Howell received a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering technology from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. He and his family reside in Spring Hill, Kansas.

Cody Hobbs

And Safety Coordinator Cody Hobbs is responsible for the overall administration of safety guidelines on Castle projects, including monitoring the safety efforts of employees and subcontractors. He earned a bachelor’s degree of safety in the health sciences program at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. A Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP), Hobbs is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals. He lives in Belleville, Ill.

“As Castle continues to expand our business in St. Louis and beyond, these new professionals will play key roles in strengthening our team and enhancing our services to clients,” said Michael Pranger, Castle Contracting vice president of operations.

Castle Contracting, LLC provides turnkey site preparation services, site utilities, earthwork and trenchless technology directly to owners; general contractors; and mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection contractors. The company’s earthmoving expertise is visible throughout the St. Louis region and from coast to coast.

New NGA CTO Announced

Mark Munsell

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency appoints a new chief technology officer to lead NGA’s technology transformation and modernization efforts, while also attracting IT talent.

Mark Munsell, currently the deputy director of the CIO and IT Services Directorate, will fill the role of chief technology officer at NGA beginning immediately. Munsell is based at the agency’s St. Louis, Missouri, location and will remain in his CIO-T deputy director role as he steps into the CTO job.

The CTO role was created in 2018 to focus on increasing the agency’s ability to instill next-generation technology, tradecraft and innovative approaches to the geospatial intelligence community, enterprise and mission.

Munsell began his career in 1990 with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration where he was awarded the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal for his software engineering work transforming the nation’s nautical charting production system. He joined an NGA predecessor agency, the Defense Mapping Agency in 1996 where he led the update of the agency’s aeronautical production systems. After a stint with a government contractor, Munsell founded the Internet Marine and Aviation Planning Services, or IMAPS, in 2000 to offer flight and maritime planning services to individuals, industry and government via the Internet. He returned to government service at the NGA in 2006. Munsell is also the recipient of the Presidential Rank Award and NGA’s Distinguished Civilian Service Medal.

Kevin Kopp Named BIM Manager at Murphy

Kevin Kopp

Kevin J. Kopp has been named BIM manager for Murphy Company. The announcement was made by Mike Werdes, vice president, engineering.

Kopp holds an associate’s degree in drafting and design technology from ITT Technical Institute and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He is certified in numerous computer software and design programs, and has extensive experience in Revit, Navisworks, Fabrication, Plant 3D,Revizto, AutoCAD, BLK360 and Microsoft environments.

He recently served as BIM Director for a global engineering, architecture and project/construction management firm. . With over 18 years’ experience in BIM/CAD modeling and design as well as integrated project delivery, he previously served as a BIM coordinator and manager for several area engineering and contracting companies. He began his construction career in 2001 as CAD manager/IT support for Tensar Corp., a BIM/CAD manger/senior IT support for Planners and Engineers, and a Bentley Admin/BIM for Hydro-Chem – all in Georgia.

Founded in 1907, Murphy Company is one of the nation’s top mechanical contracting and engineering firms delivering innovative solutions to the commercial, industrial and institutional markets. The firm employs more than 1,000 people nationwide. For more information, visit www.murphynet.com.

Woody Miller Promoted to Vice President, Operational and Facilities Development at WINCO Windows

Woody Miller

WINCO Windows, a St. Louis-based manufacturer of architectural and heavy commercial aluminum windows, is pleased to announce the promotion of Woody Miller, one of the company’s Leadership Team members, to Vice President, Operational and Facilities Development.

“WINCO’s Leadership Team was formed late 2017 and took effect early 2018,” said Bill Krenn, WINCO President and CFO. “Woody’s success at coordinating plant operations to increase efficiencies and enhance communication, as well as bringing employees’ ideas to fruition keeps the company moving forward in a positive light.”

As Vice President of Operational and Facilities Development, Miller will work with team members Brian Scott and Sharon Gamble to continue evolving WINCO’s manufacturing systems. Integrating new equipment, technologies and processes is vital to serve the demands of WINCO’s expanding presence in the window industry. Miller is one of several family members who have leadership roles in WINCO. The company has been family-owned for more than 100 years.

Miller is a graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Over the years, Miller has worked as the owner/operator of a construction company, property developer, consultant, and business owner/entrepreneur. Miller was recently named to this year’s class of 40 Under 40 by the St. Louis Business Journal. This honor recognizes young business leaders for their accomplishments, professional excellence, and contributions to their community. In his spare time, Miller is an avid rock climber.

For more information, contact WINCO Window Company at (314) 725.8088 or visit www.wincowindow.com.

New Hires at S. M. Wilson

S.M. Wilson & Co., has rehired Mary Anderson as a Project Engineer and former S. M. Wilson Interns Travis Schmitt, Chris Watkins as Field Engineers as well as Emily Echele as Project Engineer.

Schmitt and Watkins will be responsible for supporting and assisting field and office personnel on job sites to produce successful projects, ensure safety, quality, cost control, schedule and overall compliance with applicable laws and regulations are achieved.

Chris Watkins

Watkins recently graduated from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville where he received his B.S. in Construction Management. He spent the summer working as an intern for S. M. Wilson on an apartment complex project

Schmitt holds an Associates in Applied Science – Construction Management Technology from Southwestern Illinois College with 10 years of construction experience. He also worked as an intern and co-op for S. M. Wilson on the Ladue Horton Watkins High School project.

Mary Anderson

Echele and Anderson will be responsible for helping establish procedures with the design professionals, consultants and Owner of projects for information flow, approvals, meetings and reporting. They will also track shop drawings, submittals, material deliveries and RFIs through the duration of projects and assist the Project Manager with MBE/WBE participation and workforce inclusion. Anderson rejoins S. M. Wilson with four years construction experience. She holds a B.S. in Construction Management from Southeast Missouri State University and is OSHA 30 certified.

Emily Eschele

Echele recently graduated from Missouri S&T where she received her B.S. in Civil/Architectural Engineering. She also worked for S. M. Wilson on an apartment complex project as an intern over the summer.

S.M. Wilson is a full-service construction management, design/build and general contracting firm with headquarters in St. Louis. For more information, visit www.smwilson.com.

February 8, 2019

Linda Eigelberger Hired by Midas Hospitality

Linda Eigelberger

Leading hotel development, management and investment firm Midas Hospitality recently added Linda Eigelberger to the leadership team as Vice President of Sales and Revenue Management. In this position, she will drive revenue across all managed hotel properties by guiding the team with long-term planning, day-to-day sales operations leadership, and talent development. Eigelberger will spearhead strategic initiatives that make Midas Hospitality hotels a preferred partner to customers, and leverage hotel marketing tools to efficiently reach more potential guests.

Eigelberger previously worked for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), an industry leader with 15 distinct hotel brands, for more than two decades in various business and leadership roles. Career highlights include directing the entire sales, marketing and revenue management performance for the Crowne Plaza brand. Prior to this position, she handled all of sales skill building and revenue retention efforts for the IHG organization’s brands throughout the country.

“Linda possesses an excellent track record in the industry, and she brings tremendous value to our company in terms of expertise and insight,” said David Robert, Midas Hospitality’s CEO and Co-Founder. “We look forward to her leadership in creating a competitive, enjoyable and successful sales culture for all existing and future properties in the Midas Hospitality family.”

Founded in 2006, Midas Hospitality specializes in the development, management and investment of award-winning hotel properties across the U.S. The firm focuses on select-service and extended-stay experiences for global brands including Hilton, Marriott, and IHG. For more information, call (314) 692-0100 or visit http://www.midashospitality.com

JLL’s Blaise Tomazic Transitions From Research to Office Brokerage Team

Blaise Tomazic

Commercial real estate firm JLL today announced Blaise Tomazic transitioned to a new role with the firm effective January 1 after more than 10 years as research lead in St. Louis. Tomazic is now a vice president with JLL’s office brokerage team.

In his previous role, Tomazic specialized in industry research, data visualization, strategy, mapping, and financial analysis. His research also included macro and micro level economic analysis of the St. Louis region. His previous role gave Tomazic a deep knowledge of the St. Louis commercial real estate market, which greatly enhanced the team’s business development capabilities on multiple levels. He joins office brokerage at a time when the industry is quickly evolving. Tomazic’s expertise will be used to help better service tenants and landlords in understanding and utilizing new technologies.

David Steinbach, managing director of JLL’s St. Louis office, said, “Blaise has been an invaluable asset to our team for the past 10 years. His deep knowledge and understanding of commercial real estate in the St. Louis market will undoubtedly be of tremendous value to our tenant representation and leasing clients.”

JLL St. Louis is headquartered at One Metropolitan Square in downtown St. Louis. The company has approximately 150 commercial real estate experts in the market as part of its brokerage, property management, valuation and advisory services, and project development divisions.

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of 88,000 as of September 30, 2018. For further information, visit jll.com.

Mike Marchal, President of Holland Construction Services (Holland), is pleased to announce the promotion of Doug Weber to Vice President, Project Executive.

Doug joined Holland in 2007 as a Project Manager and was promoted to Director of Multi-Family Housing in 2013. In his new role as Vice President, Project Executive, he will continue working with developers and other clients on multifamily housing and senior living, but also office, retail, and light industrial, including lead generation, project pursuits, contract negotiation, preconstruction, and oversight during construction. As a partner at Holland, Doug will also be more involved in the general running of the business working directly with Holland’s Executive VP/COO on risk analysis, contracts, insurance, etc.

Doug received a degree in Construction Management from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Holland Construction Services is a full-service construction management, general contracting, and design/build firm based in Swansea, Ill., guided by the principle of providing our clients the best possible building experience on every project. For more information, visit Holland’s website at www.hollandcs.com.

St. Louis-based G&S Architectural Products has promoted Jim Greffet to a new position as a St. Louis area sales representative with an emphasis on industrial acoustical products.

Greffet attended Missouri State University and has been a part of the Golterman & Sabo team for more than ten years, serving on the production management side of the business as a Shop Facilitator and an Installation Manager.

G&S Architectural Products is a leading provider and installer of architectural products such as acoustical products, visual display boards and operable wall systemsthat are primarily used for commercial, education and healthcare industries.

IMEG Names New director, Client Executive

Steve Rhoades

IMEG Corp. has named two leaders from its St. Louis office to new positions.

Principal Steve Rhoades has been named to the firm’s newly created national role of Director of Federal Solutions. Rhoades, PE, LEED AP, is a licensed mechanical engineer with more than 23 years of experience, all with IMEG. Most previously the leader of the St. Louis office, he has done substantial work with federal clients for more than 10 years. In his new role Steve will strategizes across IMEG’s geography and offices for delivering engineering solutions for federal agencies CONUS and OCONUS.

Jim Kappeler

Principal Jim Kappeler, PE, LEED AP, is now a client executive for education and government. A licensed mechanical engineer with 18 years of experience (all at IMEG), he most previously served as a project executive. Both Rhoades and Kappeler will continue to work out of IMEG’s St. Louis office at 15 Sunnen Drive.

IMEG is headquartered in Illinois and has 1,200 employees at 40 national and international locations. It is one of the largest engineering consulting firms in the U.S. specializing in high performing building systems, infrastructure, and construction-related services. For more information, visit IMEGcorp.com.

Spellman Brady Welcomes Michelle Hamilton New Director of Business Development

Michelle Hamilton

Spellman Brady & Company, an award-winning interior design firm, welcomes Michelle Hamilton as the firm’s Director of Business Development. Ms. Hamilton has corporate responsibility for developing working relationships with new clients, as well as growing ongoing relationships with Spellman Brady’s existing repetitive client base.

Ms. Hamilton has developed a reputation as a keen business strategist with an entrepreneurial spirit and vision throughout her 22 years of professional experience. She first earned her bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and went on to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis with a Masters of Fine Arts degree. In additon to her impressive track-record in business development, the depth and diversity of her experience includes being a sales representative for a major furniture manufacturer and as an adjunct instructor at Maryville University of St. Louis.

Leslie Cerny Promoted To Vice President, Named Co-Owner At Gateway Land Services

Leslie Cerny

Leslie Cerny has been promoted to Vice President at Gateway Land Services. In her new position, Leslie will lead all projects and services through the company’s Civil Engineering and Land Surveying departments. She has served as Project Engineer at the company for the past year and has four years of professional experience.

Gateway Land Services has also made Leslie a co-owner of the company.

Leslie earned both a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Cum Laude) and a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering (Cum Laude) at the Missouri University of Science & Technology.

“Leslie has exceeded our performance expectations and has shown tremendous leadership qualities during the past year with us,” said Kelly Hyde, co-owner of Gateway Land Services. “We are very excited about our company’s future with Leslie in an ownership position.”

Gateway Land Services is a St. Louis-based Professional Civil Engineering and Land Surveying Company. Founded in 2009, it provides engineering and surveying expertise to municipalities, government agencies and commercial construction contractors. Gateway Land Services is a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) as certified by the State of Missouri.

Christa Barr Earns NCIDQ Certification

Christa Barr

Over 25% of Spellman Brady Interior Designers are NCIDQ

Spellman Brady & Company (SBC) is proud to announce that Christa Barr, designer and account manager,has earned her National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Certification. With Ms. Barr’s recent accomplishment, SBC’s professional staff of NCIDQ interior designers has increased to over 25%.

Ms. Barr has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree of Interior Design from Maryville University and has over 13 years’ experience, which are all part of the prerequisite to apply for the NCIDQ Examination. After CIDQ approved her eligibility, Ms. Barr took and passed the entire NCIDQ Exam consisting of three separate exams; the Fundamentals Exam (IDFX), the Professional Exam (IDPX), and the Practicum Exam (PRAC). By achieving NCIDQ, Ms. Barr has proven her expertise in understanding and applying current codes established to protect public health, safety and welfare.

NCIDQ Certification is the industry’s recognized standard of proficiency in interior design principles and a designer’s commitment to the profession. Professional interior designers who possess the NCIDQ Certification have distinguished themselves by demonstrating a specific set of core competencies of interior design: building systems, codes, construction standards, contract administration, design application, professional practice and project coordination.

Guarantee Electrical Company’s turnkey electrical contracting work includes equipping an historic downtown St. Louis building that will open in May as a boutique hotel.

GECO Project Manager Rob Truebe says thanks to a new Ameren Missouri downtown revitalization initiative, powering historic structures such as The Last Hotel (formerly the International Shoe Company headquarters at 1510 Washington Avenue) allows for greater back-up power potential.

“This building, which was constructed more than 100 years ago, originally had 208 volts (120/208 volt) as did many of downtown St. Louis’ buildings,” said Truebe. “What Ameren is now doing is bringing 13,500 volts of electrical service to structures like this one and installing substations – switch gear and transformer rooms – within buildings to increase operational efficiency. The new transformers convert the power into 277/480 volt for larger loads. Under this new system, Ameren has the capability with these switches to back-feed the city grid with its new equipment and eliminate outages by transferring users over to a different system. This is a big plus for building owners,” he added.

Ameren Missouri Spokesperson Brad Brown said the utility company’s Downtown East Revitalization Project began Jan. 2 and is part of an overall strategy to prepare downtown St. Louis for a smarter energy grid.

“As part of Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan, we are upgrading 100,000 feet of underground infrastructure to improve the power quality and energy reliability that businesses and residents count on every day,” said Brown. “We are replacing aging infrastructure, setting the stage for future upgrades and preparing for growth in downtown St. Louis.”

Details of Ameren’s efforts include replacing aging conduit duct work made of clay and fiber with new duct work made from 5-inch PVC. The nearly $8 million, two-year effort also includes diversifying Ameren’s conduit system downtown by adding multiple conduit duct paths in each manhole to ensure a more reliable system. “Future installations, combined with new advanced cable with fiber optic sensing and controls, will allow us to reroute energy to another path if a problem is detected,” Brown said. “In most cases, customers would not experience an outage and if they were impacted, restoration times would be significantly reduced.”

Midas Hospitality – a leading hotel development, management and investment firm – recently opened its third Marriott property in Charlotte, NC. Located at 5110 Trojan Dr., the 119-room Residence Inn by Marriott is a four-story, 82,000–square-foot hotel.

The Residence Inn Charlotte Steele Creek has studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, patio with barbecue grill, fitness center, meeting room, and business library. Located in the Steele Creek Business Park next to the Charlotte Premium Outlets, the hotel is conveniently located seven miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

The hotel will be managed by Midas Hospitality with Henry Schmidlin as General Manager and Sue Wing as Director of Sales. Schmidlin previously served as the Assistant General Manager at another Midas Hospitality-operated hotel, the Residence Inn and Fairfield Inn & Suites located at 2220 W. Tyvola Rd.

The Residence Inn was built by Midas’ sister company MC Hotel Construction, a general contractor specializing in new hotel construction and renovations. Steele Creek Hotel Holdings, LLC is the owner of the property.

“Charlotte is a fast-growing metropolitan area with a strong business climate and sense of community,” said David Robert, Midas Hospitality’s CEO and Co-Founder. “It is the perfect environment for vacationing guests and corporate visitors, and we look forward to continuing to serve the region at our newest property.” Robert added that his company will open two more properties in the Charlotte area within the next year.

Founded in 2006, Midas Hospitality specializes in the development, management and investment of award-winning hotel properties across the U.S. The firm focuses on select-service and extended-stay experiences for global brands including Hilton, Marriott, and IHG. Midas’ headquarters are located at 1804 Borman Circle Dr. in Maryland Heights, Mo. For more information, call (314) 692-0100 or visit http://www.midashospitality.com.

The latest People in the News highlighting new hires, promotions, honors & recognition of the men and women in the St. Louis building community.

Castle Contracting Hires Four

Castle Contracting, LLC has expanded its team with the hiring of four new employees: Charles Danner, project engineer; Dan Schaefer, estimator; Cory Howell, project manager; and Cody Hobbs, safety coordinator.

Charles Danner

As project engineer, Charles Danner supports the estimating department in compiling accurate project bids, as part of a three-step development program instituted by Castle for all project engineers. Prior to joining Castle, Danner served as an engineer at Kiewit Corporation in Federal Way, Wash. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technologies from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. Before college, he served in the U.S. Air Force and earned the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He lives in St. Louis.

Dan Schaefer

In his role as estimator, Dan Schaefer prepares complete, accurate quantity take-offs to build detailed cost estimates and prepares comprehensive proposals for Castle clients. He previously served as estimator/project manager at Kuesel Excavating Co. in O’Fallon, Mo. and an estimator/project manager at Septagon Construction in Columbia, Mo. Schaefer received a bachelor’s degree in construction management from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo. He and his family live in St. Peters, Mo.

Cory Howell

As project manager, Cory Howell oversees the day-to-day operation of projects, including budget reporting, submittal review, subcontractor coordination, material ordering, scheduling maintenance and trade coordination. Prior to joining Castle, he served as project manager at Crossland Construction Company in Kansas City and held several roles at Hensel Phelps Construction Co. Howell received a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering technology from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. He and his family reside in Spring Hill, Kansas.

Cody Hobbs

And Safety Coordinator Cody Hobbs is responsible for the overall administration of safety guidelines on Castle projects, including monitoring the safety efforts of employees and subcontractors. He earned a bachelor’s degree of safety in the health sciences program at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. A Graduate Safety Practitioner (GSP), Hobbs is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals. He lives in Belleville, Ill.

“As Castle continues to expand our business in St. Louis and beyond, these new professionals will play key roles in strengthening our team and enhancing our services to clients,” said Michael Pranger, Castle Contracting vice president of operations.

Castle Contracting, LLC provides turnkey site preparation services, site utilities, earthwork and trenchless technology directly to owners; general contractors; and mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection contractors. The company’s earthmoving expertise is visible throughout the St. Louis region and from coast to coast.

New NGA CTO Announced

Mark Munsell

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency appoints a new chief technology officer to lead NGA’s technology transformation and modernization efforts, while also attracting IT talent.

Mark Munsell, currently the deputy director of the CIO and IT Services Directorate, will fill the role of chief technology officer at NGA beginning immediately. Munsell is based at the agency’s St. Louis, Missouri, location and will remain in his CIO-T deputy director role as he steps into the CTO job.

The CTO role was created in 2018 to focus on increasing the agency’s ability to instill next-generation technology, tradecraft and innovative approaches to the geospatial intelligence community, enterprise and mission.

Munsell began his career in 1990 with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration where he was awarded the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal for his software engineering work transforming the nation’s nautical charting production system. He joined an NGA predecessor agency, the Defense Mapping Agency in 1996 where he led the update of the agency’s aeronautical production systems. After a stint with a government contractor, Munsell founded the Internet Marine and Aviation Planning Services, or IMAPS, in 2000 to offer flight and maritime planning services to individuals, industry and government via the Internet. He returned to government service at the NGA in 2006. Munsell is also the recipient of the Presidential Rank Award and NGA’s Distinguished Civilian Service Medal.

Kevin Kopp Named BIM Manager at Murphy

Kevin Kopp

Kevin J. Kopp has been named BIM manager for Murphy Company. The announcement was made by Mike Werdes, vice president, engineering.

Kopp holds an associate’s degree in drafting and design technology from ITT Technical Institute and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He is certified in numerous computer software and design programs, and has extensive experience in Revit, Navisworks, Fabrication, Plant 3D,Revizto, AutoCAD, BLK360 and Microsoft environments.

He recently served as BIM Director for a global engineering, architecture and project/construction management firm. . With over 18 years’ experience in BIM/CAD modeling and design as well as integrated project delivery, he previously served as a BIM coordinator and manager for several area engineering and contracting companies. He began his construction career in 2001 as CAD manager/IT support for Tensar Corp., a BIM/CAD manger/senior IT support for Planners and Engineers, and a Bentley Admin/BIM for Hydro-Chem – all in Georgia.

Founded in 1907, Murphy Company is one of the nation’s top mechanical contracting and engineering firms delivering innovative solutions to the commercial, industrial and institutional markets. The firm employs more than 1,000 people nationwide. For more information, visit www.murphynet.com.

Woody Miller Promoted to Vice President, Operational and Facilities Development at WINCO Windows

Woody Miller

WINCO Windows, a St. Louis-based manufacturer of architectural and heavy commercial aluminum windows, is pleased to announce the promotion of Woody Miller, one of the company’s Leadership Team members, to Vice President, Operational and Facilities Development.

“WINCO’s Leadership Team was formed late 2017 and took effect early 2018,” said Bill Krenn, WINCO President and CFO. “Woody’s success at coordinating plant operations to increase efficiencies and enhance communication, as well as bringing employees’ ideas to fruition keeps the company moving forward in a positive light.”

As Vice President of Operational and Facilities Development, Miller will work with team members Brian Scott and Sharon Gamble to continue evolving WINCO’s manufacturing systems. Integrating new equipment, technologies and processes is vital to serve the demands of WINCO’s expanding presence in the window industry. Miller is one of several family members who have leadership roles in WINCO. The company has been family-owned for more than 100 years.

Miller is a graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Over the years, Miller has worked as the owner/operator of a construction company, property developer, consultant, and business owner/entrepreneur. Miller was recently named to this year’s class of 40 Under 40 by the St. Louis Business Journal. This honor recognizes young business leaders for their accomplishments, professional excellence, and contributions to their community. In his spare time, Miller is an avid rock climber.

For more information, contact WINCO Window Company at (314) 725.8088 or visit www.wincowindow.com.

New Hires at S. M. Wilson

S.M. Wilson & Co., has rehired Mary Anderson as a Project Engineer and former S. M. Wilson Interns Travis Schmitt, Chris Watkins as Field Engineers as well as Emily Echele as Project Engineer.

Schmitt and Watkins will be responsible for supporting and assisting field and office personnel on job sites to produce successful projects, ensure safety, quality, cost control, schedule and overall compliance with applicable laws and regulations are achieved.

Chris Watkins

Watkins recently graduated from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville where he received his B.S. in Construction Management. He spent the summer working as an intern for S. M. Wilson on an apartment complex project

Schmitt holds an Associates in Applied Science – Construction Management Technology from Southwestern Illinois College with 10 years of construction experience. He also worked as an intern and co-op for S. M. Wilson on the Ladue Horton Watkins High School project.

Mary Anderson

Echele and Anderson will be responsible for helping establish procedures with the design professionals, consultants and Owner of projects for information flow, approvals, meetings and reporting. They will also track shop drawings, submittals, material deliveries and RFIs through the duration of projects and assist the Project Manager with MBE/WBE participation and workforce inclusion. Anderson rejoins S. M. Wilson with four years construction experience. She holds a B.S. in Construction Management from Southeast Missouri State University and is OSHA 30 certified.

Emily Eschele

Echele recently graduated from Missouri S&T where she received her B.S. in Civil/Architectural Engineering. She also worked for S. M. Wilson on an apartment complex project as an intern over the summer.

S.M. Wilson is a full-service construction management, design/build and general contracting firm with headquarters in St. Louis. For more information, visit www.smwilson.com.

February 8, 2019

Linda Eigelberger Hired by Midas Hospitality

Linda Eigelberger

Leading hotel development, management and investment firm Midas Hospitality recently added Linda Eigelberger to the leadership team as Vice President of Sales and Revenue Management. In this position, she will drive revenue across all managed hotel properties by guiding the team with long-term planning, day-to-day sales operations leadership, and talent development. Eigelberger will spearhead strategic initiatives that make Midas Hospitality hotels a preferred partner to customers, and leverage hotel marketing tools to efficiently reach more potential guests.

Eigelberger previously worked for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), an industry leader with 15 distinct hotel brands, for more than two decades in various business and leadership roles. Career highlights include directing the entire sales, marketing and revenue management performance for the Crowne Plaza brand. Prior to this position, she handled all of sales skill building and revenue retention efforts for the IHG organization’s brands throughout the country.

“Linda possesses an excellent track record in the industry, and she brings tremendous value to our company in terms of expertise and insight,” said David Robert, Midas Hospitality’s CEO and Co-Founder. “We look forward to her leadership in creating a competitive, enjoyable and successful sales culture for all existing and future properties in the Midas Hospitality family.”

Founded in 2006, Midas Hospitality specializes in the development, management and investment of award-winning hotel properties across the U.S. The firm focuses on select-service and extended-stay experiences for global brands including Hilton, Marriott, and IHG. For more information, call (314) 692-0100 or visit http://www.midashospitality.com

JLL’s Blaise Tomazic Transitions From Research to Office Brokerage Team

Blaise Tomazic

Commercial real estate firm JLL today announced Blaise Tomazic transitioned to a new role with the firm effective January 1 after more than 10 years as research lead in St. Louis. Tomazic is now a vice president with JLL’s office brokerage team.

In his previous role, Tomazic specialized in industry research, data visualization, strategy, mapping, and financial analysis. His research also included macro and micro level economic analysis of the St. Louis region. His previous role gave Tomazic a deep knowledge of the St. Louis commercial real estate market, which greatly enhanced the team’s business development capabilities on multiple levels. He joins office brokerage at a time when the industry is quickly evolving. Tomazic’s expertise will be used to help better service tenants and landlords in understanding and utilizing new technologies.

David Steinbach, managing director of JLL’s St. Louis office, said, “Blaise has been an invaluable asset to our team for the past 10 years. His deep knowledge and understanding of commercial real estate in the St. Louis market will undoubtedly be of tremendous value to our tenant representation and leasing clients.”

JLL St. Louis is headquartered at One Metropolitan Square in downtown St. Louis. The company has approximately 150 commercial real estate experts in the market as part of its brokerage, property management, valuation and advisory services, and project development divisions.

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of 88,000 as of September 30, 2018. For further information, visit jll.com.

Mike Marchal, President of Holland Construction Services (Holland), is pleased to announce the promotion of Doug Weber to Vice President, Project Executive.

Doug joined Holland in 2007 as a Project Manager and was promoted to Director of Multi-Family Housing in 2013. In his new role as Vice President, Project Executive, he will continue working with developers and other clients on multifamily housing and senior living, but also office, retail, and light industrial, including lead generation, project pursuits, contract negotiation, preconstruction, and oversight during construction. As a partner at Holland, Doug will also be more involved in the general running of the business working directly with Holland’s Executive VP/COO on risk analysis, contracts, insurance, etc.

Doug received a degree in Construction Management from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Holland Construction Services is a full-service construction management, general contracting, and design/build firm based in Swansea, Ill., guided by the principle of providing our clients the best possible building experience on every project. For more information, visit Holland’s website at www.hollandcs.com.

St. Louis-based G&S Architectural Products has promoted Jim Greffet to a new position as a St. Louis area sales representative with an emphasis on industrial acoustical products.

Greffet attended Missouri State University and has been a part of the Golterman & Sabo team for more than ten years, serving on the production management side of the business as a Shop Facilitator and an Installation Manager.

G&S Architectural Products is a leading provider and installer of architectural products such as acoustical products, visual display boards and operable wall systemsthat are primarily used for commercial, education and healthcare industries.

IMEG Names New director, Client Executive

Steve Rhoades

IMEG Corp. has named two leaders from its St. Louis office to new positions.

Principal Steve Rhoades has been named to the firm’s newly created national role of Director of Federal Solutions. Rhoades, PE, LEED AP, is a licensed mechanical engineer with more than 23 years of experience, all with IMEG. Most previously the leader of the St. Louis office, he has done substantial work with federal clients for more than 10 years. In his new role Steve will strategizes across IMEG’s geography and offices for delivering engineering solutions for federal agencies CONUS and OCONUS.

Jim Kappeler

Principal Jim Kappeler, PE, LEED AP, is now a client executive for education and government. A licensed mechanical engineer with 18 years of experience (all at IMEG), he most previously served as a project executive. Both Rhoades and Kappeler will continue to work out of IMEG’s St. Louis office at 15 Sunnen Drive.

IMEG is headquartered in Illinois and has 1,200 employees at 40 national and international locations. It is one of the largest engineering consulting firms in the U.S. specializing in high performing building systems, infrastructure, and construction-related services. For more information, visit IMEGcorp.com.

Spellman Brady Welcomes Michelle Hamilton New Director of Business Development

Michelle Hamilton

Spellman Brady & Company, an award-winning interior design firm, welcomes Michelle Hamilton as the firm’s Director of Business Development. Ms. Hamilton has corporate responsibility for developing working relationships with new clients, as well as growing ongoing relationships with Spellman Brady’s existing repetitive client base.

Ms. Hamilton has developed a reputation as a keen business strategist with an entrepreneurial spirit and vision throughout her 22 years of professional experience. She first earned her bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and went on to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis with a Masters of Fine Arts degree. In additon to her impressive track-record in business development, the depth and diversity of her experience includes being a sales representative for a major furniture manufacturer and as an adjunct instructor at Maryville University of St. Louis.

Leslie Cerny Promoted To Vice President, Named Co-Owner At Gateway Land Services

Leslie Cerny

Leslie Cerny has been promoted to Vice President at Gateway Land Services. In her new position, Leslie will lead all projects and services through the company’s Civil Engineering and Land Surveying departments. She has served as Project Engineer at the company for the past year and has four years of professional experience.

Gateway Land Services has also made Leslie a co-owner of the company.

Leslie earned both a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Cum Laude) and a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering (Cum Laude) at the Missouri University of Science & Technology.

“Leslie has exceeded our performance expectations and has shown tremendous leadership qualities during the past year with us,” said Kelly Hyde, co-owner of Gateway Land Services. “We are very excited about our company’s future with Leslie in an ownership position.”

Gateway Land Services is a St. Louis-based Professional Civil Engineering and Land Surveying Company. Founded in 2009, it provides engineering and surveying expertise to municipalities, government agencies and commercial construction contractors. Gateway Land Services is a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) as certified by the State of Missouri.

Christa Barr Earns NCIDQ Certification

Christa Barr

Over 25% of Spellman Brady Interior Designers are NCIDQ

Spellman Brady & Company (SBC) is proud to announce that Christa Barr, designer and account manager,has earned her National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Certification. With Ms. Barr’s recent accomplishment, SBC’s professional staff of NCIDQ interior designers has increased to over 25%.

Ms. Barr has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree of Interior Design from Maryville University and has over 13 years’ experience, which are all part of the prerequisite to apply for the NCIDQ Examination. After CIDQ approved her eligibility, Ms. Barr took and passed the entire NCIDQ Exam consisting of three separate exams; the Fundamentals Exam (IDFX), the Professional Exam (IDPX), and the Practicum Exam (PRAC). By achieving NCIDQ, Ms. Barr has proven her expertise in understanding and applying current codes established to protect public health, safety and welfare.

NCIDQ Certification is the industry’s recognized standard of proficiency in interior design principles and a designer’s commitment to the profession. Professional interior designers who possess the NCIDQ Certification have distinguished themselves by demonstrating a specific set of core competencies of interior design: building systems, codes, construction standards, contract administration, design application, professional practice and project coordination.

Marsha Benney, CPA, has been promoted to chief operating officer of Midwest BankCentre. She previously served as executive vice president-chief risk officer.

Since joining Midwest BankCentre in 2015, she has led the teams responsible for audit, compliance, enterprise risk management, loan and appraisal review, project management and vendor management. She has helped the bank achieve growth targets by applying her skills in partnering, both internally and externally, to optimize business results, engage team members, enhance customer experiences and implement best practices.

Benney has more than 30 years of experience in community banking and financial services. Within community banking, she has broad, enterprise-level experience across all operational areas. She also served large and small community banking clients as audit manager in KPMG’s financial services audit practice.

“Marsha is a dynamic leader with a strong customer focus and a tremendous capacity for setting and exceeding goals,” said Midwest BankCentre CEO Orvin Kimbrough. “Her leadership will help us enhance the achievement of our strategic goals while fostering a culture focused on customer experience and a mindset toward continuous process improvement.”

Benney has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business/management from Southeast Missouri State University. She belongs to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Risk Management Association. Benney serves on the Grace Hill Women’s Business Center advisory board and on Fontbonne University’s cybersecurity and computer science advisory board.

Midwest BankCentre, a mainstay of St. Louis community banking since 1906, employs a staff of about 280 working at 19 bank locations in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis, Jefferson and St. Charles counties. The bank works to empower people, enable business and energize neighborhoods through the strength of its financial services, including personalized consumer and business banking, business cash management, mortgage lending, home equity loans, financial planning and investments, insurance and digital banking. It ranks among St. Louis’ largest locally owned banks with assets exceeding $1.9 billion and deposits of $1.4 billion.

The bank is a local leader in the St. Louis Regional Unbanked Task Force and its Bank-On Save-Up St. Louis initiative. Since 2001, Midwest BankCentre has consecutively achieved the Bauer Financial 5-Star Superior financial rating each quarter. It was the national winner of the 2018 National Community Bank Service Awards by the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) for its success in bringing mainstream financial services to unbanked and underbanked citizens in the region.

IMPACT Strategies Expands Their Team

IMPACT Strategies recently expanded their team with the hiring of Logan Mitchell as a Project Engineer and Allison Hursey as a Project Assistant.

Logan Mitchel

Mitchell has a well-rounded background, working at different levels in the construction industry. He has a bachelor’s degree in Project Management and extensive studies in mechanical engineering. His knowledge and recent industry experience have positioned him well to add depth to the growing team at IMPACT Strategies. Mitchell is originally from Flat Rock, IL and now lives in Highland, IL.

Allison Hursey

Hursey comes to IMPACT with a wide range of experience, ranging from accounting to client services to sales. She has a degree in Business Administration from Lindenwood University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She is originally from Swansea, IL and now lives in O’Fallon, IL.

Mark Hinrichs, President of IMPACT Strategies says “Logan and Alli have already shown us what great assets they can be to our team. We look forward to a bright future with them as IMPACT continues to grow.”

IMPACT Strategies provides client-focused construction management, design/build, and general contracting services. The firm offers a full continuum of innovative design/build service capabilities including proven construction management processes and site development. To learn more visit BuildwithIMPACT.com or call 618-394-8400 or 314-646-8400.

Gary D. Swan Earns CFM Designation

Gary D. Swan attained credentials as a Certified Facility Manager (CFM). As a member of the St. Louis Chapter of IFMA (International Facility Management Association), Swan passed an extensive four-hour exam that covers 11 core competency areas to achieve the CFM designation.

Swan serves as the chief engineer for Lillibridge Healthcare Services at Mercy South, formerly St. Anthony’s Medical Center in suburban St. Louis. He oversees the facilities for seven medical office buildings for Lillibridge – Ventas Inc. and supervises three technicians.

The CFM designation is considered the most prestigious and sought-after credential in facility management. IFMA’s certification process assesses competency in the field through work experience, education and the ability to pass a comprehensive exam that covers 11 competencies that make up the facility management body of knowledge. Since the program began in 1992, more than 3,100 facility managers from 32 countries have achieved this prestigious recognition.

IFMA St. Louis offers its members a learning and networking environment among its diverse membership and supplies its members with the tools to achieve their professional goals. Started in 1985, IFMA St. Louis has more than 250 members representing small and Fortune 500 companies throughout the region. For more information, visit www.ifma.org.

Western Specialty Contractors Promotes Jessica Gitto to National Account Manager

Jessica Gitto

Western Specialty Contractors has promoted Jessica Gitto to the position of National Account Manager. Gitto was previously the Marketing/Assistant National Account Manager at Western.

As National Account Manager, Gitto will assist in the company’s efforts to identify, establish and develop relationships with large, multi-location customers. Gitto will also work to establish productive, professional relationships with high-level executives and other key contacts for all assigned client accounts, as well as effectively communicate to customers the benefits of a national account partnership with Western. Additionally, Gitto will work to improve sales growth of national accounts and implement corporate marketing plans.

Gitto has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication from the University of Missouri – St. Louis and more than 12 years of marketing, management and sales experience. Gitto started working for Western in 2013 as a Business Development Representative before being promoted in 2017 to Marketing/Assistant National Account Manager where she managed Western’s involvement with such national industry organizations as BOMA, APPA and ASHE. She also organized and attended trade shows and managed Western’s website, social media, branch project profiles and press releases in her previous position at Western.

Family-owned and operated for more than 100 years, Western Specialty Contractors is the nation’s largest specialty contractor in masonry and concrete restoration, waterproofing and specialty roofing. For more information about Western Specialty Contractors, visit www.westernspecialtycontractors.com.

Curt Coval

Curt Coval joins Wiegmann Associates as Senior Project Estimator

Curt Coval of Wentzville, MO has joined Wiegmann Associates as a senior project estimator. Coval is responsible for developing estimates for Wiegmann Associates HVAC design/build and plan/spec projects, both in St. Louis and nationally. Coval has 35 years of experience working in the construction industry.

Wiegmann Associates is a St. Louis-based mechanical contractor and a national leader in design/build HVAC projects. Since 1995, Wiegmann Associates has engineered and installed innovative, energy saving and cost-efficient HVAC solutions, refrigeration systems and automation controls for clients in a wide range of industries. For more information, visit www.wiegmannassoc.com or call (636) 940-1056.

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The UP Companies (UPCO) has expanded its family of companies dedicated to serving owners, general contractors and subcontractors in St. Louis with the addition of Hustle UP.

Hustle UP is an MBE-certified business offering general labor, selective demolition, general clean up, site maintenance and final cleaning services. Hustle UP joins The UP Companies’ design and build collaborative, which also includes Power UP Electrical Contractors, Square UP Builders and Keep UP Services.

Paul Renaud, General Manager of Hustle UP, will oversee the expansion of Hustle UP and focus on recruiting local residents for employment. Hustle UP offers a highly diverse and extremely productive union workforce. All field staff are third party fit-tested and complete a thorough safety orientation before being deployed to any project.

“A professionally managed, financially sound, and reliable business of this nature is long overdue in our region,” said Renaud. “It also creates a clear path forward to execute on our vision to provide meaningful career opportunities for the underutilized workforce in St. Louis and surrounding neighborhoods and to participate in the economic development of our region.”

The addition of Hustle UP further strengthens The UP-SIDE Advantage™, which amounts to the efficiencies and pricing benefits customers receive when combining the services of Power UP, Square UP and Keep UP to create the “best value per square foot” in the Midwest.

“With the full support of our family of companies, we have the resources, capacity and reputation to support contractors’ laborer needs immediately and efficiently,” Renaud added.

Hustle UP, located at 2060 Craigshire Road in St. Louis County, is part of local laborers unions 42 and 110 and has a growing client list that includes Marschel Wrecking, Hayden Contracting, PARIC Corporation, HBD Construction and KAI Build.

“Our Hustle UP commitment to improving contractor’s needs are groundbreaking in this region and further allows us to better serve our community with local residents on local construction projects,” said UPCO President Michael B. Kennedy, Jr. “We want to inspire and set a trend for our neighbors by offering employment and opportunity in their hometown.”

The UP Companies (UPCO) is one of the region’s largest full-service MBE-certified contracting companies. UPCO’s firms are Square UP Builders, a primary source of high-quality commercial and residential rough and finish carpentry and drywall services employing over 200 carpenters and laborers. For more information, go to www.theupcompanies.com or call 314.865.3888.

Public transit in the St. Louis region plays a key role in providing access and equality, creating jobs, building stronger economies and furthering the vibrancy of local neighborhoods. The strength of the local system is a result of the unwavering commitment of many local leaders, businesses and organizations – including Kimberly Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT), who was recently celebrated for 25 years of furthering public transit in the region. Her vision, tenacity and extraordinary leadership continues to play an integral role in maintaining a safe, integrated and affordable system for the St. Louis region.

A celebration was held in Cella’s honor on Jan. 30 at the BJC Learning Institute to recognize her for her many accomplishments over the past 25 years. Formal remarks were made by local transit industry leaders, before St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar presented Cella with a proclamation issued by St. Louis County Executive Steve Stenger, naming it “Kimberly Cella Day” in St. Louis County.

“Kim has spent the past 25 years standing up for transit,” said Rose Windmiller, of Washington University in St. Louis, who served on CMT’s board for over a decade before being named to Bi-State Development’s Board of Commissioners in July 2018. “I’ve witnessed her many accomplishments first hand. She is fiercely committed to the mission.”

Cella joined CMT out of college in 1993 and served as business and marketing manager for seven years, helping to grow membership by 200 percent. She then served as program director for 10 years, successfully securing millions of dollars in grant funding and launching the Ten Toe Express program, which has grown to serve 8,000+ area older adults by allowing them to experience how easy it is to integrate walking with public transit use to get around town. She was promoted to executive director in 2010 and has made great strides in promoting and expanding access to transit.

Through her guidance as executive director, she helped secure a federal grant under the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program to conduct the Central Corridor Feasibility Study, which laid the groundwork for the development of the newly opened Cortex MetroLink Station. More than 6,000 St. Louisans have overcome the perceived hurdles associated with using MetroLink and MetroBus by “test driving” the transit system through a program she created, called “Try & Ride.” She has also made strides to raise awareness about placemaking and transit-oriented development, helped spearhead the MetroLink Access Project to improve fare validation at three highly utilized MetroLink stations and significantly contributed to the work to improve the safety and security of the MetroLink system.

During Cella’s 25-year tenure, she is credited with raising more than $10 million in grant funding to establish and maintain programming to increase public transit ridership. These efforts have been recognized with several local, regional and national awards. Over these years, CMT helped build support for MetroLink extensions to East St. Louis, Belleville and Swansea and rallied support for Proposition A in 2010, which passed by 63 percent and restored service cuts and provided capital funding for future transit projects.

“Kim has heart and passion,” said Taulby Roach, president and CEO of Bi-State Development and current CMT board member. “Transit is a community that needs to be bolstered, loved and cared for. She is one of many talents making that happen, and I look forward to our continued partnership.”

Cella also serves as the executive director of the Missouri Public Transit Association where she helps provide a unified voice for public and specialized transportation providers in Missouri and elevates the status of public transit as a national priority. She resides in Affton.

To learn more about Kim Cella and Citizens for Modern Transit’s efforts to further transit development in the St. Louis region, call (314) 231-7272, find the organization on Facebook or follow them on Twitter @cmt_stl.

Citizens for Modern Transit is a nonprofit, member supported organization thatleads efforts for an integrated, affordable, and convenient public transportation system with light rail expansion as the critical component that will drive economic growth to improve quality of life in the St. Louis region.

Award winning KAI Interior Designer Asha Perez has been selected to moderate a panel discussion Feb. 13 at the Design Connections event in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. The 6th annual industry event brings leading suppliers together with the nation’s top architectural and design professionals for 2.5 days of networking and information sharing.

The panel discussion will focus on bringing together generations as a necessity for successful project design. Two design teams, including an experienced designer and an emerging professional, will discuss the importance and usage of mentor/mentee relationships within the field of design and architecture and within the context of each respective firm. Communicating effectively with an emerging professional while working to meet deadlines can be challenging even for the experienced mentor; the panel will share some of their most effective communication techniques.

Additional discussion topics will include the importance of technology for emerging professionals, balancing the need to learn and participate in the design process with more experienced design leadership, and ways to accomplish “knowledge share” across a design firm.

Share the most important reasons for successful knowledge sharing and breaking down silos.

Perez actively mentors to college students in her community and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the ACE Mentor Program of St. Louis, an organization that helps young people in St. Louis City high schools learn about careers in architecture, engineering and construction.

“I am excited to be part of this particular panel discussion because I truly value and support mentorship,” said Perez. “Throughout my career as an interior designer, I have learned the most valuable information outside the classroom, where I have gained real-world knowledge and experience through the various mentors who I have been fortunate enough to work with. I also see the value in being able to pass my experiences on to others through mentoring. This panel discussion is invaluable for anyone in the design industry, from the novice to the seasoned professional, who wants to learn the ins and outs of mentoring.”

KAI Enterprises is a national design and build firm providing delivery-oriented building solutions with a diverse portfolio of experience, in-house multi-discipline professionals, and expertise in both design and construction delivery. KAI Enterprises is comprised of four distinct business units—KAI Design, KAI Engineering, KAI Build and KAI 360 Construction Services. To learn more about KAI, visit www.kai-db.com.

Knoebel Construction has completed work at eight Burger King locations in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas. The fast-track projects included new construction of four 3,200 to 4,500-square-foot locations in Joplin, MO; Pittsburg, KS; Marshfield, MO and Highland, IL. Knoebel also renovated four locations in Manhattan, KS; Litchfield, IL; St. Ann, MO and Granite City, MO. Construction is underway at three additional locations in Pontoon Beach, IL; Ellisville, MO and St. Louis, MO.

The construction projects feature the newest store layout and design for Burger King, the fifth largest fast food chain in the United States. Knoebel equipped all of the locations with two drive-through lanes, a layout that is becoming more popular among fast food restaurants.

Over the past five years, Knoebel has worked on more than 20 franchise Burger King locations in seven states: Missouri, Kansas, Ohio, South Dakota, Georgia, Nebraska and Illinois.

Knoebel Construction, Inc. is a national general contractor specializing in retail center, multi-use, restaurant, grocery, healthcare and retail store construction. For more information, visit www.knoebelconstruction.com or call (636) 326-4100.

This 83,000 square-foot, two-story medical office building, with an emphasis on Orthopedics, includes Radiology, Laboratory, Clinical, and Physical Therapy departments, as well as public areas such as retail, coffee shop, and meeting spaces. The second floor houses Specialty Care Practitioners and additional space for future healthcare specialists.

FSA (Feeler, S. Architects) utilized a 25-degree site orientation and combined it with a 250-foot glazing and intentional overhangs to maximize the flow of natural light throughout the building.

By designing the building with four entrances, the facility provides expansive parking for its guests and staff without sacrificing customer convenience. Waiting areas line the interior length of the building, creating comfortable patient spaces with ample technology support (internet, power, etc.). Wayfinding is made simple for both patients and staff with each clinical POD designed in a circuit pattern, while a back-of-house corridor allows providers and employees to access and supply departments without interfering with patient-oriented spaces.

Leonardo DRS, Inc. announced today that it will build a new engineering development and light manufacturing facility and offices in Bridgeton, Missouri, to accommodate its growing Land Systems line of business. The new facility is expected to be ready by early 2020.

The company will invest in a new, best-in-class engineering, research and development and laboratory space to serve as the focal point for the majority of the business unit’s development and platform systems integration activities. The business is a leading integrator of a wide range of systems for U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps ground platforms, including reconnaissance and surveillance, mission support, and vehicle survivability and lethality. The line of business also maintains an 85-acre heavy manufacturing campus in West Plains, Missouri.

Additionally, the new St. Louis area facility will be home to the business unit headquarters, housing leadership, management and a centralized back office functionality.

“Our company has been growing and together with the expanding mission-critical needs of our customers, we now require a more modern and efficient facility,” said Aaron Hankins, vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Land Systems line of business. “The St. Louis area has been our long-time home, and we look forward to being a part of this community for years to come,” Hankins said.

The current facility is more than 50 years old and no longer meets company requirements for efficient manufacturing and day-to-day operations. The future site in Bridgeton gives the business the appropriate space to build a modern facility, while providing the flexibility to expand with minimal impacts to the current workforce.

“This region and Leonardo DRS will benefit as the business continues to be anchored in the greater St. Louis area as a result of this new investment,” Hankins said.

Additionally, Leonardo DRS is a believer in supporting education in the community and is working with the Pattonville School District by executing a formal agreement to further Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives in an extended learning opportunity (ELO) program for high school students. The partnership also creates additional learning opportunities for elementary students and faculty in the district, as well as mentoring and job shadowing opportunities for high school students.

“This is an important move and will permit our operations to advance and achieve success for our customer, the region and our company for many years to come,” Hankins said.

Leonardo DRS is a prime contractor, leading technology innovator and supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and defense contractors worldwide. Its Land Systems business unit is recognized leader in the design and integration of complex technologies into new and legacy systems and platforms for global military and commercial customers.